Am I the only one who notices this?

[Jacob1023]

So I've been browsing craigslist a lot lately, just looking at enclosures and supplies and stuff. And every time I find somebody selling their BP, I notice the setup is always jacked up. Half the time the person has to hides at all, the other half only have one hide. Many times they are in a glass tank that is too large. What is the deal? I want to email them and say WTF, but the person is always in the process of getting rid of it, so what's the point? Just somethings that has been erking me lately.

[rabernet]

The majority of pet snake owners out there do not seek out forums - they simply follow the advice of their local pet stores. The local pet stores' primary interest isn't in the animal, but in the sale of merchandise, so they're going to recommend all the things that we don't.

While we have a large community of herpers here, we're really only a drop in the bucket compared to how many ball pythons are in pet homes around the country.

[Jacob1023]

I just would think that after a while I'd see one person who got it right, or even close to being right, but it hasn't happened yet.

[Lolo76]

Keep in mind, there are many acceptable ways to keep snakes... so just because it's not by the "BP.net guidelines," that doesn't necessarily mean they're getting it wrong! I kept my snake differently than recommended for a while (glass tank w/ ceramic heater, rheostat & analog thermometer), and he was thriving just fine - only moved him because I got more snakes, and a rack to go along with everyone. He was actually a better eater before moving to racks/tubs, so I occasionally wonder if he preferred my old method!

Now some practices are clearly - like heat rocks, multi-snake housing (especially of different species), cedar bedding, etc. And yes, it can get frustrating to see these on CL, which is why I try to avoid the pet ads on there... also to keep myself from "adopting" every reptile listed, LOL. Anyway, I understand your annoyance, but just remember there are many "right" ways to keep a snake.

[Lolo76]

P.S. Most of my snakes have only one hide, since that's all they need in a proper-sized tub - and my big snake's hides are simply too big to fit two per tub! I even have a couple without hides, as they seemed more annoyed than happy to have one in there. Most racks are enclosed enough to give them security, and they can always thermo-regulate by moving the hide around (as mine often do).

[Jacob1023]

I just see too many of them in 55 gallon aquariums with maybe one, but usually no hides. I understand that there are different methods that work for different people. I use a glass aquarium myself, but I make sure I have multiple hides, the top covered mostly, and the sides blacked out.

[BlissfulChaos]

I have a friend who owns a ball python & his snake is actually the one that got me hooked on ball pythons. Before getting mine I got on here and read everything about ball pythons to make sure I took proper care of mine. After getting mine, I called my friend up and explained in a nice way that he wasn't properly taking care of his....His tank was right above an AC vent, no hide, small bulb with barely any heat, a water dish that had been there for months so the algi was discusting. He didn't get mad at me, instead asked me to come over and help him....We went out bought 2 hides, a bigger bulb and a accurite thermometer. I helped him cleaned out the cage and advised of the correct temp it needed to stay along with the humidity....He thanked me so much and now Dixie loves her hides and is as happy as ever!

[FatBoy]

Keep in mind, there are many acceptable ways to keep snakes... so just because it's not by the "BP.net guidelines," that doesn't necessarily mean they're getting it wrong!

"BP.net guidelines????? That seems like an unfair statement. Many breeders has worked for YEARS observing these animals in captivity and in the wild. They took all the information gathered in the wild (which is how the snakes "want" to live) and tried to make captivity as close as they could. They live in burrow holes in the wild so we give them hides and realize they like tight spaces. They stress out when approached in open areas in the wild so we give them small enclosures. When drug out of burrows in the wild there was always one snake so we feel it's better to keep them housed seperately...I could go on and on. Bottom line is BP.net did not send a group of members to Africa to gather all this information. The members here, or most of them, feel like it is best to follow the guidelines set by all these breeders that did go to Africa to observe, then spent countless hours trying to make living in captivity as close to living in the wild for these animals. I have written a care sheet...but it is truly from "0" experience (I have never been to Africa). I only follow the standards set by the great men and women that took interest in these animals and dedicated the time in learning how to take care of them. Although there may be a couple areas that can be tinkered with to find what works best for you and your animals....there is not a BP.net way of taking care of ball pythons, there is a "right way".

[Evilme5229]

P.S. Most of my snakes have only one hide, since that's all they need in a proper-sized tub - and my big snake's hides are simply too big to fit two per tub! I even have a couple without hides, as they seemed more annoyed than happy to have one in there. Most racks are enclosed enough to give them security, and they can always thermo-regulate by moving the hide around (as mine often do).

Mine are like that too.

[WingedWolfPsion]

It is a testimony to the hardiness of these animals that they often survive in suboptimal conditions, and some of them even appear to thrive. Some individual snakes do ok when everything is not perfect. Many folks seek out forums like this when something isn't going well.